Adelaide’s Prince Alfred College embroiled in allegations of sexual abuse

A law firm has launched an investigation into historic sexual abuse allegations at a prestigious Adelaide private school dating as recently as 2014.

A prestigious all-boys school in Adelaide is facing allegations of historic sexual abuse involving a former staff member.

Prominent law firm Maurice Blackburn is investigating allegations against a former Prince Alfred College staff member who allegedly sexually abused students and gave them alcohol on campus in the 2010s.

The Facebook post by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, seeking Prince Alfred College students and staff who were at the school between 2006 and 2014. Picture: Supplied

The law firm has put a call out for staff and students who attended the school between 2006 and 2014 to get in contact with them in a bid to gather evidence and information on the case.

Lawyer Sienna Montalti, who is running the investigation, said they believe at least two students were abused by the staff member, including their client, 28, who was a boarder at the school during 2011 and 2012.

“We’re alleging that the staff member introduced our client to alcohol in about year 9 and then continued to consistently supply him with alcohol on a pretty regular basis, grooming him, and I guess you could say priming him for sexual abuse,” she said, adding the alleged abuse occurred on multiple occasions.

“We’re aware the staff member was also providing alcohol to other students in the year level.”

The firm is aware of another former pupil who claims he was also sexually abused by the same individual but believes it’s likely more students were affected.

Ms Montalti said the client’s parents raised concerns about the staff member with the school while he was attending but they were “all but dismissed”.

Exterior of Prince Alfred College main building. Picture: James Knowler

She said her client feels “there was no accountability at the time” from the school.

While the investigation is still in the early stages, the firm is looking at potentially pursuing a civil claim against the school.

In a statement to The Advertiser, Prince Alfred College headmaster David Roberts said the school was aware a law firm was seeking to contact old scholars in the community but the law firm had not provided the college with information about any allegations.

“We have not been advised of any police investigation or legal proceedings, nor have allegations been raised with the College directly,” he said.

“Prince Alfred College takes any historic allegations extremely seriously and always encourages the reporting of serious complaints to appropriate authorities.

 “I encourage any of our school community members who have concerns to reach out to me directly”.

Originally published as Adelaide’s Prince Alfred College embroiled in allegations of sexual abuse